Jennie Elaine Scholar

January 19, 2013

ONTONAGON - Jennie Elaine Scholar, 85, a former Hancock resident most recently living in Ontonagon, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, at Marquette General Hospital following a brief illness.

She was born in Hancock on March 29, 1927, and grew up in Ontonagon, a daughter of the late Edward and Jennie (Strang) Mannikko.

Jennie was a graduate of Ontonagon High School in 1945 and later attended stenography school. She worked at Borg Warner Corporation in Detroit as a secretary, returning to Ontonagon to work as a nursing assistant. Later, she was employed at St. Joseph Hospital in Hancock while living and raising her family in Frenchtown Location. She was also a private duty nurse for several years.

On Apr. 18, 1953, she married Charles McKie of the Quincy Hill area. He preceded her in death in 1981. She later married Robert Scholar who also preceded her in death in 1999.

She was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church where she belonged to the altar society. She later became a member of the Church of the Resurrection in Hancock, and when she returned to live in Ontonagon, she belonged to Holy Family Catholic Church.

Jennie was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. She went on strike for the establishment of a nurse's union at St. Joseph Hospital.

She was proud of her Finnish-American heritage and was a member of the Kalevala Women's Group. She was a bowler and enjoyed reading historical books. Jennie became a certified day care nursery provider and over the years, she helped to organize several of the Ontonagon High School reunions. She often traveled to visit her family. It was said that Jennie enjoyed life and brought joy wherever she went.

Besides her parents and husbands, she was also preceded in death by her son, Roger McKie; and a sister, Gladys Mannikko.

She is survived by her daughter, Cathy (Michael) Raspet of Wilmington, N.C.; grandchildren, Robbyn (Tom) McKie-Holzworth, Curtis (Sara) McKie, Jennifer Raspet and Paul (Jill) Raspet; great-granddaughter, Ryanne; great-grandson, Josh; daughter-in-law, Carol Hocking of South Range; special friend, David "Sonny" Kaipponen of Ontonagon; a sister, Elvie Mannikko of Lansing; her loving cat, Billy; and by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, at the Church of the Resurrection in Hancock with Rev. Fr. Brian Gerber to officiate. Spring burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton.

Friends may call on Tuesday at the O'Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock from 4 until 7 p.m. and for one hour before the Mass at the church on Wednesday.